Hobbit takes $223 million

December 17th, 2012

'The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey' took $223 million worldwide on its opening weekend.

The film - which stars Martin Freeman in the title role - made the highest-ever gross for a movie opening in the US in December, taking $84.8 million, with the additional $138.2 million coming from 56 worldwide territories.

Outside of America, the highest gross came in the UK, with

$18.3 million, and Germany, with $16.3 million.

While the figure - which saw 49 per cent of takings come through 3D sales - was lower than anticipated, studio bosses were still delighted.

''It sets us up nicely for those glorious Christmas holiday weekdays.''

Veronika Kwan Vandenberg, president of international distribution at Warner, added: ''This incredible journey has inspired passionate fans around the world, who could not wait to return to Middle-earth, this time with Bilbo, Gandalf and the dwarves.

''These impressive results speak to the universal appeal of this story.''

'The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey' enjoyed the second-biggest ever opening for December globally, behind only 'Avatar', which took $242.5 million worldwide in 2009.

The movie has yet to open in some major territories, including Russia, Australia and China.